I don't understand how the bearings are counted in reels?  Is it each individual ball in the bearing itself? Do more bearing on a BC normally mean the spoon spins easier on its own when casting or does it make it feel smoother or easier to reel?

 

I dont get why folks show how long their spool spins after bearings are replaced. I mean dont folks folks use at least some break on the reel anyway?

 

 

There are 2 different spool bearing here. A Shimano Calcutta 100B is advertised as having 3+1 bearings. It has 3 on the spool and 1 Anti Reverse Bearing. My Calcutta 100B now has a total of 8 bearings because I added a handle that has 2 bearings in each knob. Bearings in the knobs definitely make the reel feel smoother on the retrieve. A Conquest 50 has 11+1. It has bearings everywhere. LOL

 

Using brakes on a reel with really good bearings that are well maintained does not negate the really good bearings. Even though you are using brakes, you can cast a little farther, sometimes much farther with less effort and casting lighter lures is easier with better bearings.

 

Bearing count is the complete amount of bearings not how many balls are in a bearing. There is usually 2 bearings for the spool to spin, these are the more important bearings which some like to upgrade, others include handle knobs

in this picture, there are TWO bearings total:

Thanks for the info. I never realized bearings in the handles were counted.

Thanks for the info. I never realized bearings in the handles were counted.

I think that might vary from company to company. The shimano rep said they don't count knob bearings, but I don't know if that's true as I have never taken one apart.

I think that might vary from company to company. The shimano rep said they don't count knob bearings, but I don't know if that's true as I have never taken one apart.

The do count knob bearings

I think that might vary from company to company. The shimano rep said they don't count knob bearings, but I don't know if that's true as I have never taken one apart.

 

Of course they count and advertise it too, for ex, a Calais has 10 bearings, 4 of them are under the handle knobs, the other 6 are where a six bearing count reel usually has them. What makes the Calais a Calais when it comes to bearings is the quality, you can´t expect a $300+ reel to have the same bearings a $150 reel has.

People show how long the spool spins after the bearings are upgraded to show how much more free it has become. This translates into longer, easier casts since the spool resistance has now been reduced with better bearings.

I'm surprised no one has said that bearing count doesn't matter. I hear that said a lot and it's mostly in response to people thinking a reel with a high bearing count automatically makes it better. The truth is in the middle. You need bearings, and more is always better unless the added weight means something to you but they've even solved this problem now, too. More bearings doesn't make a better reel unless they're of good quality though. A reel with less bearings, like some Shimanos, can be fantastic. A reel with more bearings, but cheaply made, can suck. I believe, however, that a well made reel with more bearings is the best of all.

The do count knob bearings

I've been had! I was suspicious of the reps claim, that's why I put that disclaimer in my post

The only bearings worth upgrading are the spool supporting bearings.